New Zealand

In a relatively short space of time New Zealand has strode up to the top table of the wine world with a plucky assurance and shown that it can produce some of the best wines in the world. Here at the Drinks Cabinet we have a great selection of the finest New Zealand wines available online.

This small but well formed country boasts a relatively cool maritime climate resulting in grapes with high acidity. Although it has a latitude equivalent to that of Spain and Southern France, its colder, rockier environment sets it apart from anything the old world has to offer. What’s more the use of stainless steel in New Zealand wine production has helped to forge an enviable reputation for clean and fresh top quality wines.

New Zealand wine regions such as Marlborough, Central Otago and Hawkes Bay are endowed with distinct ‘terroirs’ ideally suited to varietals such as Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

It was the UK’s entry into the EEC in 1973 that gave the country the jolt it needed to move away from its traditional focus on dairy based agriculture (traditionally exported to Britain) and focus on high return products like wine.

Since then numerous fine wines stamped with Kiwi pride have poured forth. In particular the quality of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has been unchallenged since the 1980s and in Britain we pay more per bottle for New Zealand wine than that of any of any other country.